Graduate Industrial Design Frequently Asked Questions

Browse the questions below and click the plus sign or the question to see the answer.

How do I apply?

Go to www.gradadmiss.gatech.edu for application details. All application documents are handled through the Graduate School except portfolio (see instructions following). Send/email all items to the Graduate School with the M.I.D. degree designation.
The following materials are required: 1) Application; 2) Application Fee; 3) Three letters of recommendation; 4) Statement of Purpose; 5) two official copies of the transcript from each college attended since high school; 6) Bank statement for international applicants, and 7) a portfolio. Please include hardcopy printouts of your portfolio. Exceptions include motion or interactive media, audio samples, and any other medium that cannot be represented in a 2-dimensional format. All materials should be submitted directly to the Graduate Admissions Office except for the portfolio. The portfolio must be mailed directly to the Graduate Admissions Chair, Industrial Design Program Office, Georgia Institute of Technology, 247 4th Street, Atlanta, GA 30332-0155.

Is a portfolio necessary?

Yes, some form of visual representation of your ability to create, think, and communicate in a medium is necessary for review. These can be 2-dimensional work, 3-dimensional work, hand built, computer generated, or other forms. A short description of each work should be included if the work is not self-explanatory.

What should be included in the portfolio?

Those applying for the 2 year MID program must include work that demonstrates their design competence. Having undergone a 4 year design trainging it is expected that your work demonstartes strong design thinking, excellent ability to excute ideas, superior physical/digital modelling abilities, expertise in drawing/sketching/rendering. Projects must show your strengths in design, research and creative work. Those applying for the 3 year MID program must demonstrates interest in design. The portfolio must show work such as drawings, sketches, models, furniture/cabinets, photographs (color+b/w), and website work. The idea is inform your design interest and why you are a good candidate to study design.

What are the difference between a 3-year MID degree and 2-year MID degree?

There is no difference in the final diploma or minimum credit requirement of 48 graduate level course credits. 3-year MID degree seeking students take several 2000, 3000, and 4000 level courses to augment traditional ID skills and knowledge before enrolling in graduate level ID courses. MID degree seeking students are placed in a 3-year track if they have not attended and graduated from an accredited 4-year bachelor industrial design program.

Do you only admit for Fall semester?

Yes, we only admit in the Fall semester due to sequence of courses.

Are there fellowships or scholarships?

There are various graduate research assistanceships, graduate teaching assistanceships, and scholarships. There are appropriate check boxes indicating your needs and requests on the application. If you plan on requesting an assistanceship, include a resume if your portfolio or other application documents do not reflect your abilities or past professional work or research experience. Fellowships/assistantships are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis and those applying late have lower chances of receing it. Fellowships/assistantship take into account grades, educational background, experience, and skills/knowledge. Due to lack of experience, it is quite common for students in the first year to not receive an assistantship/fellowship, even though we try hard to award whatever is available to deserving students.

For more information, contact : id@coa.gatech.edu